Graduate Student Life

1. Graduate Student Life Presented by Margaret Reich, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, University at Albany, SUNY

2. Housing: Do You Have a Choice? Advantages and Disadvantages of On- and Off-Campus Housing

3. Advantages of Living On Campus • Convenience – 1. Proximity to classes, library and campus events 2. No haggling over rent or dealing with a landlord 3. Utilities (light, heat) included in cost

4. Disadvantages of Living On Campus • May be more expensive than off campus • Meal plan may be required • Possibly assigned unknown roommates in first year (no choice) • May be segregated from the surrounding community

5. Advantages of Living Off Campus • Cost usually lower than on campus • Greater choice of type of accommodations and location • Greater opportunity to “make it your own” (personalize the space) • May give stronger sense of integration with surrounding community

6. Disadvantages of Living Off Campus • Must find it (availability? Unfamiliar with area and American rental practices) • Must negotiate with landlord and sign lease • Must pay security deposit • May need to arrange for utilities (heat, light) • Must consider transportation to campus • Must consider food preparation • If apartment is unfurnished, must consider how and where to obtain basic furniture and how to transport it • Safety of neighborhood may be a concern

7. Where to Find Help in Locating Off-Campus Housing • International Student Services office and web site • Off-campus Housing office for University • Graduate Student Organization • Other student organizations • Your department (usually other students) • Tenants’ Guides for your community • Internet (Craig’s List), local newspapers, bulletin boards on campus, walking the streets and looking for “For Rent” signs

8. Do’s and Don’ts in Looking for Off-Campus Housing • Don’t sign a lease without seeing the place first! • Do look at several places before deciding where to live • Do try to team up with someone compatible as you search for a place • Do be reasonable in deciding what you can afford

9. Getting Around --Transportation

10. Drivers from Other Nations -- check the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) web site for your state to learn the rules! • A valid driver license from another country is also valid in New York State. • According to NYS law, a resident of another country can get a NYS driver’s license. The DMV does not recommend this because: • NYS recognizes your foreign driver’s license if you remain a resident of the nation that issued the license. You do not need to have a NYS driver’s license to drive in NYS unless you become a resident of NYS.

11. Getting a Driver’s License • If you do decide to get a NY State license and you have a driver’s license from any nation except Canada, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver’s license. See "New Drivers - How to Apply" on the DMV website. • You must show a Social Security Card. If you do not qualify for a Social Security Card, you must provide a letter from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) that states that you do not qualify. The SSA Letter must have been issued within the last 30 days. • You must also show an I-94 card. The I-94 must have been issued for at least one year and must be valid for at least six more months. If your I-94 card says “D/S”, that means “Duration of Status” and means that the I-94 is valid as long as you are in status – there is no expiration date. Please carry a valid I-20 or DS-2019 with you.

12. International Driving Permit • An International Driving Permit is not a driver’s license. The permit only verifies that you hold a valid driver’s license in your home country. Your foreign driver’s license, not the International Driving Permit, allows you to drive in NYS. Contact the authorities in your home country to get an International Driving Permit. If you are not a resident of the US, you cannot apply for an International Driving Permit in the US. • You are not required to have an International Driving Permit to drive in NYS, but the permit has value. The permit verifies, in several languages, that you have a valid foreign driver’s license. A police officer who cannot read the language on your foreign driver’s license can read the permit.

13. Driving • Tips • Take Defensive Driving Program at DMV certified locations to get 10% discount on your collision and liability insurance for 3 years. • NEVER Drink and Drive!! • Buckle up your seat belt – it is the law in NY! • Don’t talk on a hand-held cell phone and don’t text while driving either!! (It’s illegal in NY!)

14. Other Transportation • Check your local bus system schedule on line. In Albany, see the CDTA schedule at: www.cdta.org • Long distance buses: Greyhound www.greyhound.com Trailways www.trailways.com Megabus us.megabus.com Chinese Bus www.gotobus.com • Amtrak (Train) www.amtrak.com More expensive than Greyhound but more comfortable Student Advantage—15% off Greyhound and Amtrak, among other discounts. Yearly fee required.

15. Traveling Inside and Outside the U.S. • Keep a copy of your passport, I-94 card and DS-2019 with you at all times. • Take originals with you when traveling more than 25 miles away from your “home base” (university). If you are stopped and questioned, your university ID card by itself is NEVER enough proof that you are in the U.S. legally! • If you will be traveling outside the U.S. and plan to re-enter, be sure to obtain a travel signature on the DS-2019 form from your sponsor before you go. Allow enough time for mailing of the document.

16. Phone • If you have a Social Security Number… go to the company of your choice (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.) • If you do not have a Social Security Number … you may have to pay a Security Deposit, ranging from $90 -$1,000. • Ask about a Family Plan so that you’ll be able to get a cheaper plan with your friends.

17. Phone: Alternative • SKYPE (www.skype.com) In addition to their free VoIP service, Skype lets you make international phone calls for a lower price. • Pay as you go phone – great if you are staying only for a short time. Best Buy offers a few options for “no contract” phones (Google “Prepaid Phones Best Buy” for more information.)

18. Banking for International Students • A checking account usually requires maintenance of a low minimum monthly balance. It offers basic services such as checkbooks, ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card, and online banking. The most common use of this type of account is for regular money transactions (e.g., withdrawals, deposits of money through ATM machine), shopping, and bill payments. • Savings accounts offer interest on the balances maintained, but require higher minimums and average balances. Students use savings accounts to maintain regular savings for a longer term.

19. To Open a Bank Account • You need a University ID card, initial deposit (cash or traveler’s check preferred) and visa related documents (passport, I-94, I-20/DS-2019). A Social Security Number is not required to open a bank account.

20. Banking systems in the United States may be very different from those in your country • Before you open a bank account, we advise you to ask for banking policies and procedures to avoid costly surcharges and hidden fees. The questions that you can ask are:

21. Questions to ask: • Do you have special account privileges for students? These accounts normally waive some of the restrictions on minimum balances, average balance and maintenance fees. • Is there a monthly or annual service fee? Some accounts require a monthly fee depending on usage.

22. More questions… • Is a minimum balance required? If your balance goes below a certain minimum, charges may apply. • Is there a monthly check /ATM usage fee? Some banks may require an additional fee for things such as printing statements from ATM, using checks, using more than a quota of checks per month, etc.

23. …and more questions • What do you charge for using another bank’s ATM card or machine? • Do you offer special services : transfer of money to and from your home country, inter-account transfer, bill payment. • Can I have an online account? Many banks offer free online web accounts and also bill payment (paying utility bills such as gas, electricity, and cable TV through their website).

24. Get Involved In Life Around You! • Student Groups on Campus—interest-based, national/ethnic • Athletic clubs or teams • Music or theatre groups • Find out about events and trips • Volunteer in your community • Explore what your community and surrounding area have to offer

25. What you should know about… • Discrimination • Sexual Harassment • Sexual Assault • Definitions: What is the difference? • There are laws to prevent and protect • Confidentiality issues • Numerous local, state and federal resources for information and support Know, before you need to know!

26. Questions?